Welsh Exam Success

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07 August 2013

Staff at Aberystwyth University are celebrating receiving exam results for Welsh Second Language.

At a time of year when school students are nervously awaiting their exam results, University staff and students on the courses run by the University’s Welsh for Adults team are being notified of their success.

Amongst the students celebrating are two managers within the University, including the Vice-Chancellor, Professor April McMahon.

Both Dr Sarah Taylor, Head of Strategic Development in the University’s Planning Office and Professor April McMahon have learnt that they were successful in their Foundation Level Certificate in Welsh Second Language: Using Welsh.

The exam tests for all the different language skills and covers listening, speaking, reading and writing and provides an excellent basis for using Welsh confidently, socially and at work.

Commenting on her success, Professor April McMahon said: “I am absolutely delighted to have passed, and it’s testament to the hard work of the excellent tutors and colleagues who lead the Welsh for Adults provision at the University. As a linguist, I naturally enjoy learning new languages and being able to work and live partly through the medium of Welsh is fantastic. I encourage all students and staff to make the most of the opportunities available to them and the support and resource at the University in learning and extending their knowledge of Welsh.”

Dr Taylor added: “I was delighted to pass the Sylfaen exam and love learning Welsh. My tutor, Brian Ishmael, is immensely supportive and my colleagues at Aberystwyth have been extremely patient with me, encouraging me to practice as much as possible. Using the language is the best way to learn. It was lovely to go to the Eisteddfod this year and feel confident enough to talk to people in Welsh. It's a beautiful, fun language to learn and I'd encourage anyone to give it a go.”

The University actively encourages students and members of staff to learn Welsh. UMCA, the Welsh Language Students’ Union provides free courses for students and the University provides a range of free opportunities for staff to learn Welsh.

Siôn Meredith, Director of Welsh for Adults, Mid Wales Centre said: “We are proud of the level of provision available to all members of the local community, which of course includes our students and staff, and how my qualified and enthusiastic colleagues provide support and mentoring opportunities to individuals wishing to learn Welsh. I congratulate all the students and wish them all the best in their journey as they continue to learn and use the language.”